New Delhi, India

The family of a CRPF soldier from Odisha's Khurda district made a life-saving decision on Monday. Following his brain death, they chose to donate his heart and liver, to two individuals in need of organ transplants.

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The soldier, Krushna Chandra Mahabhoi, served as a havildar in CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir. He was battling a chronic kidney disease and undergoing dialysis for two years.

Mahabhoi was declared brain-dead at a private hospital on March 20.  Dr Alisha Choudhury of the private hospital said, “After his brain death, we sought permission from the family members for organ donation and they agreed. Subsequently, arrangements were made for that.”

The soldier's heart and liver were transported to Kolkata and Mumbai, respectively, offering a new lease of life to two individuals in critical need. Initially, the family was hesitant about doctors taking out Krushna Chandra Mahabhoi's organs, but his wife helped change the family's mind.

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Also read | India: Odisha man, brain dead, gives fresh lease of life to four people after organ donation

Satyabrata Mahabhoi, the deceased soldier's son, said, "My father devoted his life to the nation. Now, if two people can survive with my father's organs, that will also be a service." Mahabhoi's heart will beat anew in Kolkata, while his liver will help survive an individual in Mumbai.

According to an article published in the Lancet journal, India sees 17,000–18,000 solid organ transplants performed every year—the most in the world after the US and China.

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(With inputs from agencies)